U.S. homeowners tapped nearly $25 billion in home equity through second-lien mortgages during the first quarter of 2025 — the largest volume for this period in 17 years, according to the ICE Mortgage Technology‘s newest Mortgage Monitor report. That marks a 22% increase compared to the same quarter last year. The first quarter is typically […]
Americans tapped $25B in home equity in Q1 2025 Read More »
In one of the most chaotic weeks for economic headlines of the year, mortgage rates remained relatively stable, which is a stark contrast to the madness caused by the Godzilla tariffs a few weeks ago. Can this stability last? Despite elevated rates, having fewer wild fluctuations on a day-to-day basis creates a healthier mortgage market
Mortgage rates unfazed by crazy economic headlines Read More »
The good news is the preferred measure of inflation for the Federal Reserve keeps trending downward. The bad news is that the economic backdrop that could lead to lower rates keeps getting more complicated. According to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index for April rose
Inflation is almost at 2%. Will that prompt a Fed rate cut? Read More »
As mortgage rates remain elevated and housing inventory remains tight, luxury rentals are increasingly becoming a preferred choice for high-income U.S. households, marking a shift in how high-end housing is being viewed and occupied across the U.S. Industry data shows a marked uptick in demand for luxury rentals, especially in markets outside of traditional urban
Luxury rentals gain ground as more high-end buyers opt to lease Read More »
Homebuyers in the current Spring season are having to come up with larger monthly principal and interest payments, although a measure of relief might be on the way. The Mortgage Bankers Association Purchase Application Payment Index rose to $2,186 in April from $2,173 in March, although it is down from $2,256 one year ago. “Homebuyer
Monthly mortgage payments on the rise, but not for long Read More »
Mortgage rates rose for the third consecutive week, and are now at their highest level since the start of February, the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.89% on May 29, up 3 basis points from last week when it was 6.86%, but below one year ago at this
Mortgage rates rise again to highest level since February Read More »
Consumers are giving mixed messages on how they feel about the current home purchase market and this is likely feeding into the Spring season, a Bank of America report found. Among current homeowners and prospective buyers, 60% claim they are unable to tell whether now is a good time to purchase a home or not.
Spring housing outlook: not all bad news Read More »
US Treasuries trimmed early losses after a $70 billion auction of new five-year securities lured solid investor demand. The yield on 10-year benchmark Treasuries was up about three basis points following Wednesday’s sale, after earlier climbing more than five basis points. READ MORE: Home-refinancing gauge falls to three-month low as rates near 7% The shift
US treasuries pare losses as investors snap up five-year notes Read More »
Will mortgage rates go higher if the government takes the GSEs out of conservatorship? Many people would say yes if there were no government backing of these two giants, but on Tuesday evening the calculus changed. In a social media post on Tuesday, President Trump expressed his intention to transition the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) out
What implicit guarantee means for rates on GSEs’ release Read More »
On Monday, FHFA Director Bill Pulte called on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates. His exact tweet was: “Jay Powell needs to lower interest rates – enough is enough. President Trump has crushed Biden’s inflation, and there is no reason not to lower rates. The housing market would be in much better
FHFA Director Pulte calls on Powell to lower interest rates Read More »